Chilean Carménère

Pewen Wines is one of the larger producers in Chile, accounting for two million liters of wine every year. The winery was founded in the 1990s, and most of their estate vines are at least 25 years old. 

Apalta is a micro valley within Chile's Colchagua Valley, where Chief Winemaker Carolina Vasquez watches over the process of turning grapes into something even more beautiful.

The 2021 Pewen de Apalta Carménère was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Pewen has plenty of oak on the property. Their barrel room contains some two thousand containers. Alcohol sits at 13.5% abv and the wine retails for $70.

This wine is a dark indigo in the glass. The nose features abundant black and blue berry aromas, earthy minerality and black pepper. The palate has plenty of that dark fruit, along with a savory streak of tar. The tannins are quite firm, even after the bottle was open for a day. Acidity adds brightness that counterpoints the dark flavors. The finish is long and savory. I used it in making a short rib stew, but enjoyed it more when I paired it with the dish. 

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